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Ships leave oil spill site as storm Bonnie closes in
Tropical storm could delay permanent plugging of BP’s leaking oil well by up to two weeks
Work to plug the Gulf of Mexico oil spill could be held up for two weeks after the US government ordered most of a fleet of 65 ships to evacuate the area, which is in the path of tropical storm Bonnie.
BP has almost completed the drilling of a relief well, which is to be used to 'kill' the leaking Macondo well by pouring in mud and concrete.
Thad Allen, the retired coast guard admiral who is leading the Obama administration's response to the oil spill, said the ships leaving the site include the rig drilling the relief well as well as other vessels needed for containment.
However, some vessels may be allowed to remain. Submersibles that are monitoring the leak, for example, are linked to ships that can handle waves 15 feet high.
Allen said: "While these actions may delay the effort to kill the well for several days, the safety of individuals at the well site is our highest concern."
BP said: "We will continue to monitor the well as long as weather permits. Duration of the suspension of relief well activities will be dependent on the weather."
But there is some good news. Allen said the containment cap attached to the wellhead this week is secure enough to leave it unmonitored for a few days.
By Wednesday, the amount of spilled oil being collected from above the cap had fallen from 25,000 barrels a day to just 56. ·
